The International Collaboration to Improve Respiratory Health in Children (INCIRCLE) ERS Clinical Research Collaboration

Respiratory disease is a major component of the global burden of disease, with a reduction in deaths from childhood pneumonia but an increase in chronic respiratory disease over the past few decades [1–3]. There is an increasing recognition that low lung function poses a major risk for acute and chronic lung disease. Lung function tracks closely along centiles throughout childhood [4, 5], with lung function at birth determining lung function in later life [6]. Childhood asthma is associated with low lung function [7, 8], with the deficit seen on the first occasion that it is measured. Low lung function in childhood, with failure to reach predicted peak lung function in early adult life, is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), responsible for about 50% of cases in adults [9, 10].

Source: European Respiratory Journal - December 13, 2018 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Sly, P. D., Hantos, Z., on behalf of the INCIRCLE Clinical Research Collaboration Tags: Editorials Source Type: research